Abstract

This is a project centred around cultural and traditional crafts of Iraq with a particular focus on weaving. It will explore the unique methods used by the weavers with the aim to encourage understanding and greater engagement to facilitate growth in the industry. Consideration will be given to the current market and ways it may be expanded in hope that the artisans would be able to continue to work as artisans and support their families. Similarly, create accessible resources on traditional Iraqi weaving techniques to archive for future and current generations. The project thesis is that changing the typology of a weaved product can create a new market for artisans to sell locally and globally and introduce a product system that places the artisans as the main stakeholders that may support and give agency to the traditional Iraqi artisans resulting in the revival of the craft. Similarly, documenting Iraqi weaving techniques digitally can act as an archive for future and current generations and work simultaneously with the artisans to revive the craft.